Chicago Council of Lawyers issues findings for candidates in Subcircuits 8, 10, 11, and 12

Updated March 1 to reflect changes made in CCL's report.

As reported earlier today, the Chicago Council of Lawyers released its evaluations of judicial candidates for the upcoming primary.

I've already published posts showing the CCL's evaluations of candidates for the countywide Brewer, Clay, and Dooling vacancies (click here); for the Flanagan, Hartigan, and Jordan vacancies (click here); and for all other countywide candidate candidates (click here).

For CCL findings of candidates seeking vacancies in Subcircuits 1, 2 and 3 click here; for CCL evaluations of candidates in Subcircuits 4, 5, and 6, click here.

The Council's evaluations of candidates for vacancies in the 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th Subcircuits follow immediately:

8th Subcircuit

Fabri Vacancy

James A. Shapiro -- Qualified
James A. Shapiro was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1985. He is a solo practitioner who focuses on federal and state criminal defense matters, and occasionally on civil litigation. He has worked on similar matters as an associate or partner for a number of private law firms (1996-2007; 1985-1989). He has also been a Circuit Court Judge assigned to the Maywood court (2007-2012), and an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office (1989-1995). He is a past president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (2007-2008), and has chaired several committees for the Chicago Bar Association. He has provided pro bono services for a number of organizations, including Amicus Poloniae (a CVLS-affiliated group, 2013-present) and the Center for Disability and Elder Law (1996-2006).

Judge Shapiro has been found Qualified for the Circuit Court by the Council in past evaluations. As a practitioner, he has had substantial litigation experience in both civil and criminal law matters, and in both trial and appellate court matters. He received praise from practitioners for his legal ability and for his diligence both as a practitioner and as a judge. He is also reported to have a professional demeanor in both capacities. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Stephen J. Feldman – Not Qualified

Stephen J. Feldman was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. Since 2003, he has been a solo practitioner focusing in criminal defense and DUI defense. From 2011 to the present, he has been working as an adjunct professor at the John Marshall Law School, where he teaches trial advocacy. Previously (2005-2015), he was engaged part-time as a hearing officer in the Administrative Hearings Department of the Illinois Secretary of State.

In an earlier evaluation, the Council said that “Mr. Feldman is considered to have good legal ability and knowledgeable about his areas of practice. He is reported to have a good temperament, with high integrity. He has substantial litigation experience, including trial work. These cases, however, are often in less complex matters. This is a close call in light of his substantial experience, but at this point in his career, Mr. Feldman does not have substantial experience in sophisticated matters. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.” Since that evaluation, although Mr. Feldman has added some complex criminal defense work to his career, we continue to, on balance, find him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Hon. Robin Denise Shoffner – Qualified

Hon. Robin Denise Shoffner was admitted to practice in 1990 and was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2014 and served until 2016. She has been re-appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. She had been an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago Department of Law where she represented the City of Chicago and police officers in civil litigation defense. She served as lead trial counsel. After clerking for the Hon. Glenn T. Johnson, she was an Associate with Carney and Brothers from 1992 to 1995. She then worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel from 1995 to 1998 and then was a senior litigation associate for a small litigation firm from 1998 to 2000. From 2000 to 2007 she was litigation counsel for the AON Corporation. Ms. Shoffner has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts. Her experience is varied including civil rights defense, commercial litigation, and torts. She is reported to have good legal ability. She was considered to be very knowledgeable and capable as an attorney. She is reported to have a low-key, professional demeanor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

John Christopher Benson -- Qualified

John Christopher Benson was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989. He is a solo practitioner focusing on criminal law and civil rights. Previously, he was Director of Criminal Law at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, where he worked from 2003 to 2010. Between 1989 and 2003, he worked as a trial attorney in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. He has been active in NAACP’s Kankakee branch in multiple roles, including as a volunteer in its legal aid clinic. He also participated in the 24th District Legal Expungement Summit (2016), where he advised residents about their rights to have their criminal records sealed or expunged.

Mr. Benson is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial litigation experience in a variety of matters. He is reported to have good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Bonnie C. McGrath – Not Recommended

Bonnie C. McGrath did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Liu Vacancy

Lindsay Christopher Hugé -- Qualified

Lindsay Christopher Hugé was admitted to practice in 1989. He is a career public defender with the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. He currently serves in the Appeals, Post-Convictions, and Legal Resources section, but has served as a trial attorney, defending complex criminal actions.

Mr. Hugé is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his knowledge of the law. He is reported to be both a good trial and appellate attorney. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Hon. Michael A. Forti -- Qualified

Hon. Michael A. Forti was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1980. In 2016, he was appointed a Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court, and is currently assigned to the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Previously he was chief counsel and ethics officer at the Illinois Department of Transportation (2012-2015); deputy corporation counsel (1999-2012) and chief assistant corporation counsel (1994-1998) for the City of Chicago Department of Law; and associate (1980-1988) and equity and income partner (1988-1994) at Bell Boyd & Lloyd (now K&L Gates), where he handled commercial litigation and antitrust counseling.

Judge Forti was considered to be a good attorney with good legal ability and temperament. As a judge, he continues to receive very positive marks. He has demonstrated his ability to handle a high volume call and is praised for his handling of pro se litigants – respectful and informative without going beyond the role of judge. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Cyrus Hosseini – Not Recommended

Cyrus Hosseini did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Athena Aphrodite Farmakis -- Qualified

Athena Aphrodite Farmakis was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1993. Since 2014, she has been the Supervisor of the Preliminary Hearings Branch at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she supervises all felony cases brought before the court for a preliminary hearing. Ms. Farmakis has worked for the State’s Attorney’s Office since 1994. The majority of her experience is in the Felony Trial Division, but she also has experience in the Child Protection Division and the Juvenile Justice Division. Ms. Farmakis was formerly the Judicial Evaluation Chair and is currently the Director of the Lawyer of the Year Committee for the Hellenic Bar Association.

Ms. Farmakis is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is reported to be a good prosecutor who is professional and fair in her legal dealings. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Pethers Vacancy

Hon. Jeanne Marie Wrenn -- Qualified

Hon. Jeanne Marie Wrenn was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2003. She was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before taking the bench, she served as an Ethics Officer and EEO Officer for Pace. She had been there since 2012. Before that she worked as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney where she prosecuted felon narcotics cases, and was then assigned to be the Legislative Liaison to the Illinois General Assembly.

Ms. Wrenn has bench and jury trial experience in less complex matters, but her work in the legislative arena and her work as an Ethics Officer required detailed analysis and advocacy involving complex matters. She was praised for her work both as a prosecutor and a legislative analyst. She is reported to have very good legal ability and temperament. The Council balances relatively limited litigation experience before taking the bench against other experiences that demonstrate strong analytic thinking. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Hon. Myron Mackoff – Qualified

Hon. Myron Mackoff was admitted to practice in 1994. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. He had served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General from 1994 to 2002, after which he entered private practice. He practiced in both state and federal courts and has experience litigating complex matters. He is involved in numerous pro bono and community activities, including an award for excellence in pro bono work from the Federal Trial Bar. Judge Mackoff is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Rishi Agrawal -- Qualified

Rishi Agrawal was admitted to practice in 1998. He is a sole practitioner, specializing in litigation in commercial, criminal, and family law. He has practiced in small firms, including Eimer Stahl, throughout his career. He has substantial experience in more complex litigation matters. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He is considered to be a solid, hard-working practitioner with substantial litigation experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

10th Subcircuit

O'Neill Burke Vacancy

Hon. Stephanie D. Saltouros -- Qualified

Hon. Stephanie D. Saltouros was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1996. In September 2016 the Illinois Supreme Court appointed her as a Circuit Judge. She is currently a assigned to the First Municipal District in Cook County Circuit Court. Previously, she was a solo practitioner with a practice focused on criminal defense (2008-2016), and an Assistant Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (1996-2008), where she prosecuted criminal and traffic cases. She is a member of the Pensions and Benefits Committee of the Illinois Judges Association.

Judge Saltouros is considered to have good legal ability. Respondents praised her as a prosecutor, a criminal defense practitioner, and as a judge. She is reported to have a professional demeanor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Gwyn E. Ward-Brown – Qualified

Gwyn E. Ward-Brown was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1989 and to the Illinois Bar in 1991. She is an Assistant Public Defender in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office.

Ms. Brown is considered to have good legal ability who is knowledgeable about her area of law. She is reported to be a mentor in her office of other lawyers. She has substantial litigation experience, although she has been handling post conviction and appellate matters for the past five years. She is praised for her temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Lorraine Lynnot Murphy – Qualified

Lorraine Lynnot Murphy was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2003. She is an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she currently is First Chair in a felony courtroom at the George Leighton Criminal Courthouse. She is a member of several bar associations, including the Chicago Bar Association, where she served on the Judicial Evaluation Committee.

Ms. Murphy is considered to have good legal ability. She is reported to have a good temperament and is praised for her trial skills. She has substantial experience in complex litigation matters and is currently a lead prosecutor in a felony trial courtroom. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Suriano Vacancy

Colleen Daly -- Qualified

Colleen Daly was admitted to practice in 1996. She is currently a sole practitioner and reports that she concentrates in criminal defense, juvenile law (both child protection matters and delinquency cases), traffic, appellate work, and some domestic relations. She represents police officers in administrative proceedings. She has been a sole practitioner since January 2010, although she had a partner for part of the time. From 1996 through 2009 she served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Her assignments included the juvenile division, and the felony trial division. She served as a first chair prosecutor. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex jury and bench trials. In the last three years, Ms. Daly reports that she has represented police officers in administrative, evidentiary hearings. She has also been appointed to be a Guardian Ad Litem in cases involving minors. Ms. Daly also reported a federal court litigation practice, including litigation claiming racial discrimination and cases involving criminal extortion. Ms. Daly is reported generally to have good legal ability and knowledge of the law. She is praised for her trial skills, and for being knowledgeable and always well-prepared. She is described by opposing counsel as professional and diligent in following through on such items as discovery requests. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Noreen Patricia Connolly – Not Recommended

Noreen Patricia Connolly did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Hon. Gerald Patrick Cleary III – Qualified

Hon. Gerald Patrick Cleary III has been a lawyer since 1989. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before taking the bench he was a partner at SmithAmundsun, doing a variety of civil litigation. He led the firm’s aerospace practice and also represents municipalities and corporations in civil rights matters. From 1990 to 1997 he was an associate attorney at Query & Harrow doing civil litigation. Judge Cleary is considered to have good legal ability and an excellent temperament. He was praised for being exceptionally knowledgeable, hard-working, and fair. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Jill Rose Quinn – Not Qualified

Jill Rose Quinn was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1983. Ms. Quinn began her career at Michael Barford as an associate. She then spent three years at Mevorah and Associates. In 1988, she worked at Jegen and Associates doing municipal law. She worked there until she started a solo practice in 1996, focusing on real estate. Additionally, she has worked as a Cook County arbitrator and a DuPage County arbitrator.

Ms. Quinn is considered to have good legal ability and temperament, but she lacks substantial litigation experience in more complex legal areas. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Thomas J. Gabryszewski – Qualified

Thomas J. Gabryszewski was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1990. Since 1997, he has been the Owner and Sole Practitioner at Thomas J. Gabryszewski, Attorney at Law, where he focuses on personal injury and tort cases. He has also handled personal injury matters as a Litigation Associate at Chase and Werner (1991-1997) and as an Associate at Sandman, Levy, and Petrich (1990-1991). He provides pro bono legal services for the Amicus Polonie Pro Bono Legal Clinic of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

Mr. Gabryszewski is considered to have good legal ability. He has a broad range of legal experience and is praised for his knowledge of the law. He is reported to have good temperament and does substantial pro bono representation work. He has solid litigation experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

11th Subcircuit

Kennedy Vacancy

Hon. Joanne F. Rosado - Qualified

Hon. Joanne F. Rosado was admitted to practice in 2001. She was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2017. Before taking the bench, she was a career Assistant Cook County Public Defender. She served as a First Chair Public Defender in murder cases, assigned to the Multiple Defendants Unit. She had substantial litigation experience in more complex matters in both civil and criminal law cases, having been assigned to the section doing child protection cases. Ms. Rosado is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She was praised for her litigation skills and for having been a strong advocate while maintaining a professional demeanor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Scott Jay Frankel – Well Qualified

Scott Jay Frankel was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1987. He is a Partner at Frankel and Cohen, where he represents clients in criminal and some civil cases. Previously he served in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, where he represented clients in misdemeanor and felony courtrooms (1989-1992); as an Associate at Mayer Brown (1987-1989); and as a Clerk in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Cincinnati, Ohio (1985-1987).

Mr. Frankel is considered to have very good legal ability. He practices primarily in criminal matters in federal court, where is praised for his litigation skills. He has substantial experience in complex litigation and has experience in both criminal and civil matters. He is reported to be respectful to opposing counsel and is generally praised for his temperament. He is reported to be exceptionally conscientious. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

12th Subcircuit

Maki Vacancy

Republican Candidates

David Lawrence Studenroth - Qualified

David Lawrence Studenroth was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1987. In 1987 he became an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. In 1998 he began a solo practice focusing on criminal defense matters.

Mr. Studenroth is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has litigation experience and is reported to be a solid practitioner. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Alan M. Jacob – Not Recommended

Alan M. Jacob did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Democratic Candidates

Joel Chupack -- Qualified

Joel Chupack was admitted to practice in 1982. He is a partner in the private practice firm of Heinrich & Kramer P.C, with an emphasis in real estate related litigation, including forclosure, tax deed, eviction, building court, mechanics’ liens, chancery actions, and probate. He has presided over 200 arbitrations as a member of the Commericial Panel of the American Arbitration Association. He reports having an active litigation practice. From 1986 to 1990 he was a litigation associate with McBride Baker & Coles. Mr. Chupak is active in Bar Association activities and has worked on real estate related legislation as a member of the ISBA Real Estate Section Council. He is considered to have good legal ability and is reported to be very knowledgeable about his areas of practice. He has a good temperament and is hard-working. He is praised for his work as an arbitrator. He has litigation experience. In general, Mr. Chupack is considered to be a good lawyer. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Carmine Vincent Trombetta – Qualified

Carmine Vincent Trombetta was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1983. Since 1984, he has worked as a Solo Practitioner at the Law Firm of Carmine V. Trombetta in Schaumberg, IL. He represents clients in criminal cases and in civil litigation, real estate, wills and trusts, and bankruptcy matters.

Mr. Trombetta is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in a variety of both criminal and civil matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Thomas Raymond Molitor – Qualified

Thomas Raymond Molitor was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1985. Since that time, he has been a Solo Practitioner at the Law Office of Thomas R. Molitor, where he focuses on general practice and litigation, including wills, trust, and real estate matters. He is a Member and Founding President of the Northfield Bar Association.

Mr. Molitor is considered to have good legal ability. He is praised as a solid practitioner with good legal knowledge and temperament. He has substantial litigation experience and is reported to have good trial skills. He was censured in 2001 for failing to effectuate service on a defendant in a personal injury case. But this is a minor blemish in an otherwise respected career. On balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.